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Pls help me find a network streamer w/ I2S output (not a DAC)
Hi everyone!
I have read a lot of posts and searched the forum and have not found my answer yet, but if I missed a thread regarding this topic, please forgive me.
I did not think finding a network streamer would be this difficult, but I have been searching for days and cannot find the right one for my setup. Maybe I am making this more difficult that it needs to be, so tell me if that's the case!
But first, let me explain what I am looking for. By "network streamer", I don't mean an integrated amplifier with a DAC, amplification and an Ethernet connector. There are plenty of those and in fact, I have one: the Naim Uniti Nova (great device btw).
I need a network streamer for another "separate components" system I am building. I have a DAC (LAiV Harmony DAC), a Preamp, an amplifier, and now I just want a network streamer that accepts Ethernet and outputs digital signal over an "I2S" connector to feed the signal to my DAC. So I need a device that does not have a DAC, does not have amplification, etc. Why I2S output you ask? Because that is the best connection for my LAiV Harmony DAC. Unfortunately, that also eliminates a lot of network streamers like Lumin, Cambridge, Blue Sound, etc.
I would really like to have a front display on this streamer, but I may have to go without one. The only options I have found are:
- Halo Audio Red - no display, but has I2S output port
- Volumio Rivo Plus - no display, has I2S output, seems like everyone is out of stock and no US distributor that I can find
- Eversolo T8: On paper has everything I want, but I read the audio quality is not great
- Hifi Rose RS151: Everything I need and more, but very expensive - much more than my DAC, and I can't justify the cost for my setup
Are there others that I am missing? I know I can build one with RaspberryPI, and I have in the past specifically for Roon, but I am looking for one that has good software for various streaming apps, and is also supported by an audio equipment vendor.
I would really appreciate your help and suggestions!
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- 50 posts total
@sawbuck, unfortunately I never heard back from Pi2design regarding the Mercury. |
Why I2S not USB? Some people have found that I2S from the T8 sounds better than USB, others have found the opposite. If I2S sounds better then your streamer's clock (and cable) is better than the DAC's - I2S transmits the clock to the DAC over the I2S cable. With USB the DAC buffers the data and the DAC's own clock provides timing. So, loosely speaking, if your streamer is the "better" component use IIS, if your DAC is better use USB. (And don't use Coax or Toslink) I run USB from the T8 into an Esoteric K-01XDSE. Esoteric's position seems to be that async USB is preferable to IIS as they do not support I2S - except for their own proprietary protocol in their $58,000 Grandioso stuff. I can thoroughly recommend the T8, any reasonable USB cable is fine, if IIS get the highest rated one your budget permits. |
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- 50 posts total